Thank you

Posted: Friday, February 02, 2001

By The JUNEAU EMPIRE

... for career tours

It's Friday morning, Jan. 26, and the juniors and seniors of Juneau-Douglas High School are not in their scheduled classes. They are, in fact, in a different type of classroom. Scattered across the community, students are learning about various jobs and occupations available to them through the tour industry. Employers shared information such as what training is needed to become an airplane mechanic, the "ups and downs" of working with the public, how stressful it can be for a dispatcher to work in an operations tower and, most importantly, information about the ability to communicate being essential in any field of work you decide to do.

Nearly 100 students participated in the Air, Land and Sea Summer Employment Job Fair and Field trip. Students picked one of three categories to visit and got the "behind the scenes" view of operations. Employers spent time describing the skills and abilities needed when working at different jobs. Much time and planning went into the organization of this field trip and thanks need to be expressed to the following folks who made it possible: John Vallejo and Mike Cooney of Alaska Travel Adventures (Goldbelt Inc.); Michelle Pennoyer, Bill Hansen, Jim Duncan and Donica Jerue of Mount Roberts Tramway (Goldbelt Inc.); Jeff Morehouse of Auk Ta Shaa Discovery (Goldbelt Inc.); Jeff White of Goldbelt Tours (Goldbelt Inc.); Connie McKenzie of Auk Nu Tours (Goldbelt Inc.); Andy Thomas, Michelle Gale, Mark Wilder and Paul Kirschel of Temsco Helicopters; Drew Green of Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska; Amber Koelsch and Bill Hagevig of Princess Tours; Jim Collins, Alison Caputo and Pete Carlson of Allen Marine Tours; Amy Windred and Donna Leamer of ERA Helicopters; Bob Janes of Gastineau Guiding; Larry Johansen of Alaska Sightseeing Cruise West; Bob Englebrecht and Melitta Welling of Northstar Trekking; Holly Bierkortte and Mike Steadman of Wings of Alaska; David Boyce, Terry Johnson, Ray Vidic and the first officer and flight crew of Flight 61 of Alaska Airlines; Sam Raybung and Amy Cooper of DIPAC; and Lorene Kappler of Cornerstone Consulting. A very special thank you to Paulette Simpson of the Alaska Tourism Industry Association for being the key organizer in this very successful event.

Barbara Conant

Juneau-Douglas High School Career Center

... for scout support

Tongass Alaska Girl Scout Council is thankful for many things and to many people in the CBJ.

High on our list are two recent projects which could not have happened without the support of many individuals.

A small project, making a BIG impact, was the program held at Goods True Value Hardware store, "If I Had a Hammer." It was an innovative class held right in the hardware store for girls to learn basic carpentry skills and make their own tool boxes.

The success of the class was due to the kind and informative employees of the store, the location of the class and Girl Scout volunteer Maggie Stumme. We appreciate Craig Good and his crew of employees, who shared their knowledge and helped girls become familiar with a nontraditional activity.

The second and larger event took place on Jan. 15, honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was called, "A Day On For Service and A Day Off For Hunger."

In the spirit of Dr. King, Girl Scouts and Girl Scout volunteers canvassed the city (on a very rainy and windy day) to collect food and restock various food pantries which had been depleted during the recent holidays. Our community donated, and Girl Scouts delivered, over 1,200 pounds of food that went to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Douglas Methodist Church, The Glory Hole, Resurrection Lutheran Church, St. Brendan's Episcopal Church and Southeast Alaska Food Bank.

To kick off the food drive, Southeast Alaska Guidance Association provided an education program regarding the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Girl Scouts made a large poster of their dreams for a better world and JDHS graciously posted it in a prominent place.

Both events could not have happened without the support of citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through the Youth Activities Grant, determined Girl Scouts, Girl Scout volunteers and community partnerships.